Chiefs overcome brave Magic FC in Nedbank Cup
Kaizer Chiefs needed extra-time to beat The Magic 3-0 at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth on Sunday, as they booked their place in the quarterfinals of the Nedbank Cup.
Daniel Cardoso, Philani Zulu and Khama Billiat found the back of the net for the Amakhosi who were guilty of squandering a catalogue of chances before turning on the style in 30 minutes of additional time.
The Glamour Boys were all over the ABC Motsepe League outfit from the onset of the clash, creating chances at will, but lacked serious quality in the final third.
Ryan Moon conjured the best chance of the first-half of regulation time, but having darted in behind the hosts backline he could only succeed in finding the woodwork. The ball bounced up off the post and into the grateful arms of Bulelani Cola in the 20th minute.
Ernst Middendorp introduced Billiat following the interval as Chiefs looked to wrap things up before the end of 90 minutes.
The Magic though, to their credit, had their chances and after Bernard Parker guided his attempt straight at Cola, Wade Crowie blazed over Bruce Bvuma's crossbar from close range at the other end of the pitch.
Leonardo Castro had a golden chance to open the scoring in the 75th minute after busting through on goal and after seeing his initial effort blocked the Colombian looked sure to score as the ball fell favourable at his feet, but with the goal at his mercy, he could only succeed in blasting his resulting shot over the crossbar.
Teenage Hadebe squandered another chance for Chiefs three minutes later as he too failed to hit the target from close range with a repeat of their clash against fellow third-tier side Tornado FC in the preceding round growing more and more likely.
With the score deadlocked at 0-0 after 90 minutes, the game went into an additional half-hour.
Billiat was denied the opener in the 12th minute of extra-time with Tshepiso Tlhapi clearing off the line after the Zimbabwean had rounded Cola.
The goal would finally come in stoppage time of the first-half of extra-time. Howard Davids was guilty of chopping Billiat down inside the area and Cardoso made no mistake from the spot - drilling the ball past The Magic goalkeeper.
Amakhosi substitutes Billiat, Dumsani Zuma and Zulu linked up for Chiefs' second in the 113th minute of the game. The latter left with an easy tap-in after Zuma played an inch-perfect ball across the face of goal.
Billiat put the game beyond any reasonable doubt as he thumped the ball past Cola in the final minute of extra-time as Chiefs claimed a comfortable win - in the end.
Kaizer Chiefs (0) 3 (Cardoso 105+2' penalty, Zulu 113' Billiat 120')
The Magic (0)
Kaizer Chiefs: Bvuma; Moleko, Hadebe, Cardoso, Mashiane (Zulu 106'), Maluleka, Ekstein (Billiat 46'), Ntshangase, Moon, Parker, Castro (Zuma 83').
The Magic: Cola; Lamb, Davids, Tlhapi, Wood, Crowie, Jacobs (Maqoqa 112'), Mtsila, May (Mxabo 64'), Warley (Mngomeni 75'), Moosa.
ALL THE NEDBANK CUP LAST 16 DRAMA
OWN GOAL HELPS TS GALAXY SINK COSMOS IN NEDBANK CUP
TS Galaxy booked their place in the quarterfinals of the Nedbank Cup with a 1-0 win over Jomo Cosmos at at Makhulong Stadium in Tembisa on Sunday afternoon.
Ezenkosi captain Dahou Ange Lebahi guided the ball into the back of his own net to the Rockets good fortune, as they duly held on to keep their hopes of silverware alive.
CELTIC EDGE RICHARDS BAY IN NEDBANK CUP
Bloemfontein Celtic have squeezed into the quarterfinals of the Nedbank Cup after defeating Richards Bay 1-0 at the Free State Stadium on Saturday night.
Phunya Sele Sele edged the Natal Rich Boyz of the National First Division thanks to a second-half strike from Tshegofatso Mabaso.
ARROWS ADVANCE IN NEDBANK CUP
Golden Arrows claimed a hard-fought 2-1 win away to Witbank Spurs at the Puma Rugby Stadium on Saturday afternoon, securing passage into the last eight of the Nedbank Cup.
Lerato Lamola scored both goals for Abafana Bes’thende, but the real heroes came from the National First Division side, who outplayed their PSL opponents for most of the match and were arguably unlucky to end on the losing side.
CHIPPA REACH NEDBANK CUP QUARTERFINALS
Kurt Lentjies and Mark Mayambela scored a goal apiece Chippa United defeated Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila 2-0 in a Nedbank Cup last 16 match played at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The Chilli Boys were worthy winners in a fine cup tie in Port Elizabeth and should have won by a greater margin against the National First Division representatives.
CAPE TOWN CITY EASE INTO NEDBANK QUARTERFINALS
Cape Town City thrashed Highlands Park 3-0 in the Nedbank Cup Last 16 match at the Cape Town Stadium on Friday night.
As a result, the Citizens joined Cape Umoya United in the quarterfinals, while the Lions of the North crashed out of the tournament.
WITS EDGE BLACK LEOPARDS ON PENALTIES
Bidvest Wits have advanced into the last eight of the 2019 Nedbank Cup after defeating Black Leopards 3-2 on penalties, with the teams playing out a 1-1 draw after extra time at the Thohoyandou Stadium on Monday.
Clever Boys goalkeeper Ricardo Goss made two saves in shootout and Lidoda Duvha’s Lesedi Kapinga (who scored in the teams’ original meeting last week which was rained out) blasted the final spot kick over to see the visitors triumph.
Wits join TS Galaxy, Kaizer Chiefs, Bloemfontein Celtic, Chippa United, Golden Arrows, Cape Town City and Cape Umoya United in Thursday’s quarterfinal draw.